Author: Nigel M Rodgers

This year’s WordCamp will be held at the same awesome venue as last year, Hellenic Academy!

To get to the WordCamp Harare venue turn into Harry Pichanick Dr, ( If you’re coming from town it’s the left turn at the robots after Gunhill. )

Take the first right turn into Basset Crescent and then go to the end of the last parking lot outside the school. We’ll be using the last gate next to the parking lot. There will be someone to direct you from the gate.

See you there!

( Photo credit: WordCamp Lagos 2017, Nigeria )

The frequently asked question I get when I approach people to register their children for the WordCamp Harare Junior’s Workshop is “Are you looking for kids who are good with computers?” The short answer is no. While basic computer literacy is needed for the workshop it is aimed at children who wish to learn to express themselves better online. The only requirement we have for the juniors workshop is that the child comes with a passion for something, whether it be their favorite cartoon, a favorite sport, a hobby, or their favorite school subject. To explain why I’ll have to go on a tangent first.

The downside of STEM

STEM stands for the integrated education of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The main goal of STEM education is preparing students for high-tech jobs of the future. The cross-disciplinary approach of STEM ensures that students understand how fundamentals in science and maths can be applied in engineering and technology.

There are two main disadvantages of STEM. It marginalizes those who are more inclined to the arts and humanities, and it neglects creativity and critical thinking which are important skills in scientific fields.

Enter STEAM and STREAM

STEAM adds the Arts to STEM by incorporating visualization, recognizing and forming patterns, modeling systems as well as the skills in the use of tools, pens, and brushes.

STREAM adds the thinking skills embodied in Reading and wRiting to STEAM. Writing requires critical thinking and creativity to express things accurately in a way people understand, and evoke emotions of delight, anger or desire that will drive that understanding into action.

How WordPress Fits In

The mission of WordPress is to democratize publishing. WordPress aims to give the tools needed to have an online presence to everyone who needs them by any means necessary. The WordCamp Juniors Workshop, sometimes called KidsCamp aims to give children a jump start in expressing their passion in the form of a blog. By doing so we expand current STEM initiatives to STREAM. The workshop also familiarizes children with WordPress interface preparing them to become future power users or developers.

What Does My Child Need to Attend?

All your child needs to attend the WordCamp Harare Juniors Workshop is to be aged between 9 and 15 have something they are passionate about and want to express, from code to poetry and everything in between. The Juniors Workshop is free and only 20 tickets total are available. You can get your ticket from our tickets page. Preferably the child should be accompanied by a ticket-bearing adult but it’s not a requirement. Our venue – Hellenic Academy – has graciously given us access to their computer laboratory, so you do not need to bring a device unless you prefer to do so.

I tried to be as detailed as possible but if you have any questions please ask in the comments section below.